Section 1a Preview

[scarlethockey33]

Mankato West vs. Northfield today

[PoNd HocKey ChAmP67]

any thoughts on the game today??
Mankato West 4
Northfield 2

[nipeshow18]

it is gonna be worse than that.. northfield is brutal this year

[TheBlizzard]

Red Wing just beat Albert Lea 5-3 in Albert Lea, great game!

[PoNd HocKey ChAmP67]

Mankato West 10 Northfield 2
ugly game
Shots
Mankato W. 25
Northfield 23

[scarlethockey33]

This is my breakdown for the top 5 of section 1A as of 1/19/09.

1. Rochester Lourdes (9-3) They have probably the most depth in the section. The Funk, Voight, Peterson line has produced huge for the Eagles. Althought New Prague got an early win from them in the season, but I think most people are convinced that when and if they meet again the Lourdes will take the chance for revenge.
Loss To : New Prague, I'Falls and Breck
Next Game : St. Thomas Academy Jan 20th

2. Albert Lea (10-4) Although the early upset by Winona the Tigers have proven themselves as a threat with the win over Hibbing. With the coaching of Nystrom this team could go far but they will have to get pass the Lourdes for a ride to state.
Loss To : Winona, Lourdes, Virginia and Red Wing
Next Game: Mankato East/Loyola Jan 20th

2. New Prague (9-5) The Trojan's Lapic Brothers along with Schyler has been producing most of the offense for New Prague. They've seemed to slope down the ranks recently with a loss to Hutch. To clinch a #2 seed in my mind, the Trojans will have to beat the Tigers on Jan. 31st.
Loss To : Duluth Denfield, Hermantown, Little Falls, AHA, Hutchinson
Next Game : Farmington Jan 20th

4. Red Wing (9-6) The Wingers have been challenged with their tough schedule but it will hopefully pay off come sections. They have won over Albert Lea, yet not in my mind for top 3 in the section. Their game against New Prague will be interesting for section seeding.
Loss To : South St. Paul, Totino Grace, Mahtomedi, Lourdes, Breck School, AHA
Next Game : New Prague Jan 23th

5. Mankato West (8-3-2) Last years Section 1A Champs are doing better than expected after losses because of graduation. The other Bruggemen twin (Andrew) leads the team in scoring with 40 total points. The goaltending for the Scarlets has been the main issue. Solid goaltending from either Trautman or Kaufman during sections and you've got yourself a dangerous team.
Loss To : Albert Lea (2), New Prague
Next Game : Holy Family Catholic Jan 20th

[davey]

This is my breakdown for the top 5 of section 1A as of 1/19/09.

1. Rochester Lourdes (9-3) They have probably the most depth in the section. The Funk, Voight, Peterson line has produced huge for the Eagles. Althought New Prague got an early win from them in the season, but I think most people are convinced that when and if they meet again the Lourdes will take the chance for revenge.
Loss To : New Prague, I'Falls and Breck
Next Game : St. Thomas Academy Jan 20th

2. Albert Lea (10-4) Although the early upset by Winona the Tigers have proven themselves as a threat with the win over Hibbing. With the coaching of Nystrom this team could go far but they will have to get pass the Lourdes for a ride to state.
Loss To : Winona, Lourdes, Virginia and Red Wing
Next Game: Mankato East/Loyola Jan 20th

2. New Prague (9-5) The Trojan's Lapic Brothers along with Schyler has been producing most of the offense for New Prague. They've seemed to slope down the ranks recently with a loss to Hutch. To clinch a #2 seed in my mind, the Trojans will have to beat the Tigers on Jan. 31st.
Loss To : Duluth Denfield, Hermantown, Little Falls, AHA, Hutchinson
Next Game : Farmington Jan 20th

4. Red Wing (9-6) The Wingers have been challenged with their tough schedule but it will hopefully pay off come sections. They have won over Albert Lea, yet not in my mind for top 3 in the section. Their game against New Prague will be interesting for section seeding.
Loss To : South St. Paul, Totino Grace, Mahtomedi, Lourdes, Breck School, AHA
Next Game : New Prague Jan 23th

5. Mankato West (8-3-2) Last years Section 1A Champs are doing better than expected after losses because of graduation. The other Bruggemen twin (Andrew) leads the team in scoring with 40 total points. The goaltending for the Scarlets has been the main issue. Solid goaltending from either Trautman or Kaufman during sections and you've got yourself a dangerous team.
Loss To : Albert Lea (2), New Prague
Next Game : Holy Family Catholic Jan 20th

Historically head to head is a large piece of the criteria as well as schedule stength. I pretty much agree with your picks except Red wing will be ahead of AL because of the head to head win. NP seems to have stagnated a little. No big wins after the Lourdes win and a loss to Hutch. Top line does not seem to be clicking on all cylinders although at any time they might start. Some imporatant games coming up. West is pretty much locked into the fifth seed. Loss at Al was damaging. Need to win games where you score 5 goals.

[goldy313]

Lourdes hasn't done anything to be in front of New Prague at this point, they lost at home to the Trojans and other than maybe beating SCC haven't had a signature win to justify their ranking. Unless New Prague loses 2 of their 3 remaining games with Red Wing (2) and Albert Lea (1) they should remain the top seed, if they don't they could be anywhere from #1 to #4.

I'd rank them:
1-New Prague
2-Lourdes
3-Red Wing
4-Albert Lea
5-West

[Edger]

West over L/SP/H 8-2 .... 61 shots on goal for West
Albert Lea over Austin 7-1 ..... 87 shots on goal for AL

[TheBlizzard]

Heading to New Prague right now for the:

New Prague vs. Red Wing game, should be a good one, I say Red Wing takes it 6-4. If Red Wing can shutdown that 1st line of NP they should be fine, I think Red WIng has a lot more balanced attack overall.

[TheBlizzard]

Red Wing won 5 to 3:

Score doesn't dictate the game though, Red Wing dominated from start to 2:00 min to go in the 3rd, it was 5 to 0 with 3 min to go and Red Wing skated their bottom lines and New Prague got 3 quick goals.

Great game though, very hard hitting, and great passing, New Prague is a good team but couldn't deal with Red Wings neutral zone checking.

[PoNd HocKey ChAmP67]

whats going on in New Prague? are they not living up to the expectations. losing 3 of the last 4

[TheBlizzard]

whats going on in New Prague? are they not living up to the expectations. losing 3 of the last 4

It looked to me that is Adams and Lapic can't get going in the neautral zone they just give up. Red Wing just checked in tne neautral zone beautifully.

I don't know what has happen to them as of late though; they have 1 good line and the other really fall off after that, they have no balance and I think that is what is hurting them against some of the tougher teams.

[nickel slots]

With Lourdes' loss to Delano (New Prague handled them easily sans Lapic), it's apparent how WIDE open Section 1a is. Mankato West must've had a little letdown agains Minnehaha Academy, but they're definitely capabale of playing some good hockey. Albert Lea and NP meet next week in a HUGE game. Right now, though, I give the nod to Red Wing.

[backcheck101]

I agree, not a good loss for Lourdes. With Red Wing wins over Albert Lea and NP their looking very good right now. There line of Schammel, P.Noesen,Mensing are really starting to come together. Still alot of good hockey games to go. Good one Saturday Albert Lea at NP.

[nipeshow18]

Red Wing is in the drivers seat to be the number one seed with Lourdes' loss to Delano. If they can go the rest of the way without a setback they should be the number one seed come February. They still have New Prague once more though. It is going to be an exciting finish!

[scarlethockey33]

in terms of section 1a games the hardest one left should be their New Prague game. They still have a game against AHA and Hermantown which should help condition the team come towards sections.

[TheBlizzard]

Red Wing blitzed Hutchinson tonight 6-1 at Hutch; Schammel had 3 goals and 2 assists. Complete domination as the shots were like 37-14 or something close to that.

[OU812]

Could happen . . .

1. Lourdes
2. Red Wing
3. New Prague
4. Albert Lea
5. West
6. Faribault
7. Northfield
8. East
9. Waseca
10. Austin

[nipeshow18]

right now this is a crap shoot because the teams that will be seeded 1-3 all beat each other. Lourdes' loss to Delano really hurts them as does New Pragues loss to Hutch, because of how badly Red Wing beat them. If Red Wing wins their last game against New Prague I have a hard time believing they won't be the number one seed, considering they win the games they should win from here on out.

[davey]

Could happen . . .

1. Lourdes
2. Red Wing
3. New Prague
4. Albert Lea
5. West
6. Faribault
7. Northfield
8. East
9. Waseca
10. Austin

Where does Lacrescent fit in. They beat Winona who beat Albert Lea

[scarlethockey33]

Where does Lacrescent fit in. They beat Winona who beat Albert Lea

If you go in that format where, One team beat this team which beat this team. That's just going to create chaos, head to head matches are where it's gotta be decided. To answer your question I'd place La Crescent between 8th-10th.

[Puckhandler]

Could happen . . .

1. Lourdes
2. Red Wing
3. New Prague
4. Albert Lea
5. West
6. Faribault
7. Northfield
8. East
9. Waseca
10. Austin

Where does Lacrescent fit in. They beat Winona who beat Albert Lea

But, don't forget that Albert Lea beat Lacrescent. I agree with scarlet, too much chaos when you get too many degrees apart.

[davey]

Could happen . . .

1. Lourdes
2. Red Wing
3. New Prague
4. Albert Lea
5. West
6. Faribault
7. Northfield
8. East
9. Waseca
10. Austin

Where does Lacrescent fit in. They beat Winona who beat Albert Lea

But, don't forget that Albert Lea beat Lacrescent. I agree with scarlet, too much chaos when you get too many degrees apart.[/quote

Here is how I would put them

1. RW Seem to be playing the best right now
2. NP beat Lourdes, loss to Hutch
3 Lourdes Bad loss to Delano
4 AL Seem to be locked in this position
5 West need to right the ship in a hurry or could fall to sixth
6 Faribault seem to be coming on as would be expected with a young team
7 La Cescent
8 Northfield
9 Waseca
10 East
11 Austin

A few games upcoming that could shake up the top 3

[goldy313]

Lourdes, Albert Lea, and to a lesser extent New Prague are falling right now. Red Wing is going well and so is Faribault

Lourdes all of a sudden has a really important game with Faribault next Thursday, who would have thought that a week ago? The Eagles are 2-4 in their last 6 with the two wins coming against haplees Mankato East and East Grand Forks, Lourdes beat EGF 7-4 while Faribault beat EGF 5-1.

Albert Lea looked to be on a roll with wins over West and Hibbing before falling off and losing home games to Red Wing 5-3, Owatonna 5-2, and Century 7-2 bookending wins over hapless East and Austin. They have New Prague on Saturday in a huge game for both.

Today I'd have them...
1-Red Wing
2-New Prague
3-Lourdes
4-Albert Lea
5-West
6-Faribault

Faribault could move up quite a bit if they keep on winning, Lourdes and Albert Lea are in danger of falling out of the top 4 if they can't turn it around as both have key intrasection games in the next week.